Found this thread while searching... My taco takes a few seconds to start, yet the starter sounds plenty stong and healthy... The engine just turns over a few times before it actually starts. I know that my plugs (NGK) only have like 8,000 miles on them so I don't that is the problem.

The only reason I'm asking what could make this happen is that my friend's 88PU with like 250,00 miles starts almost instantly, and quite frankly its emabarrising.

I was going to give the TB and IAC a thourough cleaning this weekend, as I've never cleaned the IAC, and see if that helps.

Does anyone have any ideas on what else I could check?

What about O2 sensors? I'm pretty sure they could stand to be replaced, as I have like 120,000 miles on my rig...

 

couldnt it also be that his oil is too heavy? i know in mine if i use 10w-30 instead of 20w-50, it starts a hell of a lot easier in the mornings. but i dont like 10w-30, so yeah. if its a constant thing, does it whether the engine is cold or warm, i think that would be a fuel pressure problem, if only when its cold i believe its due to a thicker oil....

 

I have 5W-30, but yeah... my taco starts quicker when it's warm. But seems to be how everything works.

 

I had to search high and low on google and had to e-mail for custom alternators. I've heard of mralternator, but some other members on here have some bad lucks with them so I'm not so sure.

 

I will look into that, i just know that i badly need a better one. After adding the second battery this one just will not hack it anymore. It is having a hard time as it is.

 

NOOO! Don't get a reman. They are junk. Trust me.

The only thing wrong will be your contacts. $15 at the dealer.

I just had the same problem. Slow starts for about 2 weeks. After that it started clicking. I replaced the contacts and I'm good to go.

FYI its a bitch to get the starter out since you have to remove part of the manifold, but once you have it out, replacing the contacts just takes a few minutes. I actually replaced the contacts with the starter still in there without taking the mainifold off, but it sucked, and if i did it again id take it all the way out.

 

Update: 12/18/07...FIXED!

My starter kept getting worse and worse, until finally yesterday it made a big CLICK sound. So, I decided it was the contacts. Called around 5-8 places, and only one place had the contacts, and it was an hour drive. So, I decided to go to Toyota and get raped. What was cool was that they give you "kits" which replace all the contact components. Cost me $30.

Anyways, getting the starter out only took me about 20 minutes. Everyone is complaining on how hard it was...!?!? Donno, it just went smooth as silk for me. PB blasted the bolts, didn't have to undo anything except the two bolts, and the bolt that holds the tranny dip stick up near the valve cover. Brought the starter down, rather than between the frame rail. Took about 15 minutes to put the new contacts in, and wire brush the plunger.

Starts right up now... its great!

 

thanks for the tips, i might try this myself if it doesn't get any better soon.